LAS CRUCES - As some City Council members had promised, there were plenty of questions and concerns raised about a request for a major amendment to the master plan for the proposed Sierra Norte subdivision.

But in the end, the explanations were enough for the council to vote 6-0 Monday to approve an amendment that allows Las Cruces developer John Moscato to develop what could become the city's first-ever "green" subdivision.

The council agreed to change zoning designations for 27 planning parcels of the proposed subdivision - a total of 892 acres - to a single Planned Unit Development.

The Sierra Norte subdivision is one of the largest annexations ever approved by elected city officials, and that happened in March 2006 when only two of the council's seven members, Mayor Ken Miyagishima and Councilor Dolores Connor, were on the council. The annexation came at a time when numerous residents were voicing concerns that the city's growth was happening too fast, and council members were accused of not putting enough time or deliberation into considering the magnitude of the annexation.

Monday, the current council spent almost two hours asking questions, listening to answers, following up with more questions, and then commenting on the proposal before them. But they appeared satisfied with what was presented.

"This is a very strong step in the right direction," Councilor Nathan Small said. "The devil is always in the details. It's always good to have an open dialogue."

Harold

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Denton, of Denton Ventures Inc., in Las Cruces, told the council of plans to create a "green" subdivision where homes and businesses would have purple pipe, that could be used for water reclamation. He added that as much as 10 percent of homes to be built in the subdivision will be affordable homes; that 500 acres of the subdivision will be set aside for residential homes or apartments; and that there will be a high emphasis placed on creating a neighborhood where pedestrian connectivity is a priority, where the use of bicycle paths, shared use paths, network trails and wide sidewalks will be common.

"We're trying to create a better project," said Denton, in explaining why the amendment was being sought. "We took the Smart Code and adapted it. We are pushing the envelope with the Smart Code. ... It's definitely a step forward for Las Cruces."

Miyagishima agreed.

"I support what they're trying to accomplish," he said. "This is the kind of development Las Cruces needs and wants."

Denton said the amendment will provide the kind of development city leaders have long sought. "There's a great deal more flexibility in this new plan than there was in the old zoning."

He added the amendment includes new plans to reduce major roads in the proposed development from five lanes to three.

"Those should still be able to handle the (anticipated) traffic for the next 20 years."

Still, there were plenty of questions, mostly raised by Councilor Gill Sorg, whose City Council district includes the proposed subdivision, about roads, utilities, and other issues.

"This is actually going to become a small city, so I want to get this right the first time," Sorg said.

Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-545